Flu Symptoms

Flu Symptoms

The Flu is an infectious disease of the upper airway that is passed through close contact with other people.

The flu virus resides in the back of the throat and in the nose, so that when we exhale we spread the virus into the air around us.

People in close proximity may breathe in the virus and thus they also contract the flu, and in turn pass it onto other people.

Another common way for the flu to be passed onto other people is when we get the virus onto our hands, and then we either touch other people or objects (the flu virus can live for 24 hours on something we touch), and then other people in turn pick up the virus and spread it further.

Typical flu symptoms are

A rapidly developing fever;
Sweating and feverish feelings;
Aches and pains, especially in muscles or joints;
Lethargy or tiredness;
A Dry Cough;
Sneezing;
Runny or blocked nose;
Difficulty in sleeping.

Babies and children who have contracted the flu virus can also exhibit further symptoms, such as:

Drowsiness, being unresponsive, becoming limp or “floppy”;
Loss of appetite.

Flu symptoms can also include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Flu symptoms resemble the symptoms of the common cold, viruses cause both common colds and the flu, however flu affects the lungs much more that a cold does.

Flu symptoms usually peak within 3 days although you may feel the effects of the virus for up to 3 weeks afterwards.

It takes between 2 and 4 days to go from being infected to showing full flu symptoms, and those who are infected are contagious from a day or so prior to exhibiting symptoms and for up to 5 days afterwards, although some people may be infectious for longer periods.

Types of Flu:

There are three main types of flu, referred to as A, B and C.

Flu viruses mutate or change as they are spread, making treatment or predicting which type of flu is likely to surface extremely difficult.

Flu type “A” is the most commonly occurring type of flu and is more serious than type B.

It is highly likely to mutate and consequently strains appear to which people have no resistance. This is why widespread epidemics or pandemics may occur that can infect whole continents.

Flu type B is usually a less severe illness, and is much more stable than the flu type A virus. Infection with flu type B usually results in immunity to further flu type B infections for long periods.

Flu type B generally affects children.

Type C Flu usually resembles the common cold.

Diagnosing Flu

You can usually diagnose whether or not you have the flu based upon your symptoms. It is unusual for any other diagnostic tests to be necessary unless there are complications.

In order to diagnose which type of flu virus you have requires laboratory diagnosis in which swab of your throat or nose is taken to obtain a viral culture.

Flu Epidemics:

An epidemic can be declared if more than 400 people per 100,000 of the population consult their GP with flu or flu like symptoms per week.

Disclaimer - All information contained on the FluSymptoms.org.uk website is intended for informational purposes only. The information is not intended nor suited to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical treatment or for professional medical advice relative to medical questions or conditions.
We urge you to always seek the advice of your doctor or medical professional with respect to your medical conditions or questions.